NIH-funded research NIH-funded research

Improving Outcomes in Vascular Disease for Aortic Dissection: Upfront TEVAR vs Surveillance

Official title: 1/2 IMPRoving Outcomes in Vascular DisEase - Aortic Dissection (IMPROVE-AD)

Funded at Duke University · NIH-11605968 · Data updated 2026-11-12

A large US study will compare starting treatment with a repair procedure plus medicine to medicine alone with careful follow-up in people with uncomplicated type B aortic dissection.

More Aortic Dissection research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionDuke University
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Durham, United States)
Project startJuly 21, 2023
Project endJune 30, 2030
Funding year2026
Award (this year)$4,260
NIH project number3UH3HL165017-04S2
Project IDNIH-11605968 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Adults with uncomplicated type B aortic dissection who are under ongoing medical management.

Less likely to help

Patients with dissection types or conditions not included in the trial criteria or who are not candidates for TEVAR.

What this research studies

This project runs as two coordinated centers (Clinical and Statistical Data Coordinating Centers) to enroll about 1,100 patients across the US. It is designed as a straightforward, pragmatic trial to determine whether adding upfront TEVAR to medical therapy improves outcomes compared with continuing medical therapy with regular surveillance for deterioration. Participants will be assigned to MT+upfront TEVAR or MT+surveillance, with decisions about further surgery made based on clinical indicators of deterioration. The study is led by Duke, Baylor, and University of Washington in collaboration with a diverse Executive and Steering Committee, including patient advocates. The goal is to provide clear guidance on how best to manage uncomplicated type B aortic dissection to reduce mortality and complications.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the trial could change clinical guidelines and improve survival and quality of life for people with uncomplicated type B aortic dissection.

How similar studies have gone: This is a large, pivotal trial aimed at establishing guidance where current practice varies; prior smaller studies have not definitively resolved this question.

Where this research is happening

  • Duke University
    Durham, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Patel, Manesh R — Duke University
  • Study coordinator: Patel, Manesh R

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.